| Subject: *thinks* Hunh. It didn't use to be that way...I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Anyway, I'll just write this part directly in; my Word still won't save. So it'll probably be short... PART SEVEN |
Author:
Dakkan
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Date Posted: 01:55:21 10/22/03 Wed
In reply to:
Dakkan
's message, "Aaargh!" on 02:15:09 09/30/03 Tue
Kib was shocked. Why would the sea otter Rask pick him specifically to water-wrestle? Was he really that much against lending out a ship?
The ferret caught Salpik's gaze. "You don't have to do this," the sea otter mumbled almost under his breath. "We can spend a half-season to build a rough ship."
It suddenly struck Kib that he would have to do this. A half-season might put the corsair ship out of reach. Paws shaking slightly, he took a resolute step forward and tried to speak firmly. "I'll do it." He met Rask's eyes and continued, "But I'll need to learn how."
Salpik stood at the water's edge with Kib, watching Sturgg haul big logs around in the shallows to the delight of the other holt otters.
"So the combatants can use arms, paws, an' torso only?" Kib queried.
"Aye, and they stand in water up to the shorter beast's chest. The object is to knock your opponent off his paws enough to make him go under."
Kib's brow furrowed. "That beast could just grab my shoulders and dunk me easily. I'm not that muscular."
Salpik shook his head. "No he couldn't, because he can't have any contact with you while you go under. You have to actually fall on your own. There are two judges who make sure of this; one stays above water, one watches under water."
"And this is it?" Kib asked hopefully.
"Aye," affirmed Salpik. "It's not a complicated sport, really."
Kib looked down at his paws. It wasn't looking good. Unless... "Hey...are we allowed to throw punches?"
Salpik shrugged. "It's anything goes. Just no dirty stuff, like poking the other beast in the eye, and no biting. Just upper body. So yes, you could...but I'd watch out for his fists as well."
Kib nodded silently as Rask strode up. "So, are you ready, ferret?" the tan sea otter grinned.
Kib jogged into the river as a reply. Stopping when the water level was at his chest, he saluted. "Send 'im out!"
Salpik admired Kib's brave front, but he was worried for his comrade. "I'll judge underwater," he told his brother.
Rask nodded curtly. "An' I'll take the other judgin' spot, mate."
Kib was the shorter of the two, but not by much. The burly Sturgg stood about three feet away, grinning at the ferret. "Don't beat me up too bad, eh mate?" he sniggered.
Kib smiled brightly. "Oh, I won't..."
Rask and Salpik took their positions. The tan otter produced a fishbone whistle. "You both know the rules?" Seeing the two beasts nod in confirmation, he put the whistle close to his lips. "On the whistle, then..."
Fweeeeeeet!
Sturgg made an immediate grab for Kib's shoulder's, intending to shove him over. But the ferret managed to sidestep, even while slowed by the water. Kib grabbed the otter's shoulders instead and shoved, but ended up pushing himself backward instead of moving his solid opponent.
Sturgg grinned toothily and Rask's holt cheered for their champion. The burly otter lunged again, but Kib managed to escape his grasp again. "This isn't a game of keepaway, mate!" growled Sturgg as he regained his balance.
"Oh. All right, then," chirped Kib, still cheerful as he propelled a fist into the otter's nose.
"Yeeeow!"
Grinning, the ferret took another shot with a lightning-quick paw. This bruised his opponent's ear.
"Aaargh!" Gritting his teeth, Sturgg spat into the water by his smiling adversary. "You wanna fight with fists, eh? Don't say I started this!" He drew back and let fly with a bone-jarring punch.
Kib felt the whoosh as the otter's paw flew by. Reaching out, he grabbed Sturgg's shoulders and pulled inward, hoping to trip his enemy with his own momentum. The sea otter stumbled past the ferret but kept his balance.
Kib saw his chance. Turning quickly, he delivered three quick blows to the back of Sturgg's head. Woozy but not unconscious, the burly beast blinked and tired to retain his balance. Kib only needed to give him a solid push in the back.
Splash!
The whistle blew shrilly, and Salpik surfaced, supporting the groggy Sturgg. "You got 'im!"
Rask waded over, disbelief written all over his face. "How on earth...you've got yourself a ship, ferret!"
Kib extended a paw to have it heartily shaken by the tan otter. "Please. I'm called Kib."
Salpik let Sturgg stump ashore to figure out where he'd gone wrong. "How did you do that? I didn't know you could box!" the Skipper exulted.
Kib shrugged. "It helps when one's late father was raised as an orphan at Salamandastron...by the resident boxing hare champion!"
Salpik nodded sagely "Ahh...I see now why the future of the mountain means so much to you! You have an, er, grandfather there!"
Rask clapped both beasts on the back. "And you've got a ship to take an' meet 'im!"
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